OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 27, 2011) - The Sens Foundation is pleased to announce that $75 000 has been raised in support of two initiatives for youth mental health this past weekend — the first D.I.F.D. Youth Mental Awareness Night (on Saturday) and Bell SENSational Ride & Glide for Mental Health presented by Huawei earlier today.

Specifically, the funds raised will support the Early Identification and Intervention Program for Youth at the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health. The Youth Services Bureau will dedicate these funds toward building a mental health hub to address complex youth and family needs in addition to a new and innovative mental health walk-in clinic. The Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre will use funds in support of cutting edge addiction treatment for adolescents and young adults in new residential, family and aftercare programs.

"On behalf of the Sens Foundation, I want to thank our sponsors, volunteers, participants and our fans for their hard work and, most importantly, for supporting these events." said Danielle Robinson, president of the Sens Foundation. "Thanks to events like these, we will be able to inspire conversations and help change the statistics on youth mental health."

"Bell's new national mental health initiative is working to end the stigma surrounding mental health and improve access to care for those who suffer," said Gary Cameron, Bell's vice-president of professional services. "The D.I.F.D. Youth Mental Awareness Night and Bell SENSational Ride & Glide are great opportunities to raise awareness and funds for the most pervasive yet misunderstood and under-funded health concern in Canada."

"The D.I.F.D. movement continues to empower the Ottawa community to new levels of generosity and engagement," said Timothy Kluke, president of the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health. "Not only are we inspiring conversations about mental health and suicide but we are also witnessing individuals and businesses making a difference with their philanthropy.

The Sens Foundation supports mental health initiatives geared towards children and youth. Since 2009, the Sens Foundation has pledged $1.5 million in support of charitable organizations focused on meeting the needs of families with children and youth suffering from mental health illnesses.